Before I start a bit of background on the Range. 1903–1905: The War Department bought the freehold of the Willsworthy estate and parts of Willsworthy Manor, which included purchasing properties like Reddaford Farm by 1905. This new military training ground (3448 acres) was mapped out with 46 granite War Department (WD) boundary posts.
Today’s format of available TWWs, whilst not exactly ‘the Famous Five ‘, five was our number, setting off from Willsworthy Range carpark on an overcast and humid day. The Range’s tarmac road led us past target ranges suitable for the prone firing position – not suitable for less flexible older bodies though!
At the top of this road, we took the path up White Hill passing quite a few edible mushrooms just waiting to be picked by a knowledgeable picker, and down past a cairn and cist to eventually cross the Walla Brook.
Our destination now was to be Doe Tor, following a weaving route to try to avoid clitter and a sprained ankle; it was still tough to get to the top.
Clitter was again to be a major challenge as we set off for Sharp Tor and the ascending climb to the top, by now in a warming temperature and clearing skies where we had our cuppa whilst looking out over a spectacular view as is common on this section of the Moor.
Along the path to Sharp Tor, Mike pointed out one of the granite marker posts, with WD 16 on it, one of the 46 of the original range, and still standing proud!
As we still had plenty of energy, we continued the walk downwards then up Rattlebrook Hill to Chat Tor, the 23rd highest Tor on the Moor. It’s not the most scenic Tor, but is a fine example of layered sedimentary rock! There were a couple of ecologists having a picnic there before continuing with their habitation studies of Dartmoor creatures (not us), seemingly not affected by the mass of flying ants on the small Tor!
Ants not being for us though, we needed to get to Hare Tor (only 32nd in height at 531m) next for our own picnic, hoping no pests followed us – none did, allowing for a delightful stop, view, and fluttering Clouded Yellow butterflies passing by. Thanks for the ID Anne.
Refreshed, Ger Tor next on our way back now. We did actually sit for a while at Ger Tor as the surrounding views are some of the best to admire, particularly looking at the majestic Tavy Cleave and river
All downhill now to cross the ford at Willsworthy Brook and Mine Leat. Getting down from Ger we went past evidence of a former small section of a narrow-gauge railway track (found by Jon) used to transport targets, the track probably part of the very early days in an area of the range long since closed.
Across the Brook and Leat, we made our way to the tarmac road we had first used at the beginning of the walk; however, it always seemed longer going back to the cars!
A ‘Proper Job’ walk was had by all.
Charlie